WASHINGTON, DC --- Led by a season-best 19-point effort from junior center Victoria Gonzales, the Howard women's basketball team pulled out a 68-66 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) victory over Coppin State on Saturday afternoon in Burr Gymnasium.

Trailing by one with 5:27 left in the game, Howard outscored Coppin State 8-5 down the stretch and survived a late foul with 0.7 seconds left to preseve the two-point victory.

Gonzalez, who went 5-of-9 from the floor and 9-of-12 from the free throw line, has scored in double figures in two of her last three games after only doing so once in the previous nine. She also added seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal for Howard (2-14, 2-1 MEAC), who currently sit tied for third in the conference after the league victory.

Sophomore forward Sydni Johnson contributed 13 points, five rebounds and two steals while senior forward scored 11 points, including all three of Howard's three pointers. Redshirt sophomore guard Te'Shya Heslip and sophomore guard Jasmine Hill chipped in nine points apiece.

The game, which saw nine ties and nine lead changes, looked like it would be a close affair from the start. Over the first ten and a half minutes alone, the game was tied four times and Coppin State (2-11, 1-1 MEAC) found itself leading by five (22-17) at the 9:27 mark. The Lady Bison responded with a 15-3 run over the next 6:30 to take its biggest lead of the contest (32-25) with 2:24 remaining in the half. The Lady Eagles closed the half with a 9-2 spurt of their own to tie the game at 34-all at halftime.

CSU outscored Howard 17-8 in the first six minutes of the second to take their largest advantage (51-42) with 13:35 left in the game. Gonzales would score eight of HU's next 18 points to pace a 18-10 run to cut the Lady Eagles' lead to one and set up the final sequence.

Gonzales hit a jumper with 1:49 left to give Howard a six-point lead (67-61) but Coppin State would score five quick points - including an and-one after a Hill foul - to cut Howard's lead to 67-66 with 37 seconds to go.

Howard would draw a foul with seven seconds left and Johnson would hit one of two from the line to put HU up two.

Gonzales would be charged with a late foul with 0.7 seconds left, putting CSU guard Amber Griffin at the line with a chance to send the game to overtime. Thankfully, Griffin would miss both free throws to seal the victory for the Lady Bison.

NEXT UP: The Lady Bison will look to secure their next conference victory during Monday's home doubleheader against the Hornets of Delaware State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30pm